Pros:
Navigating this course solo is somewhere between difficult and "Alex, I'll take a rusty nail in the cornea for $200."
Wow! This is one of those courses where the ratings are over the place, everywhere from 5.0's to 1.0's. Players certainly have strong opinions about Jet Stream. Anyone who believes this course is a 5.0 has never experienced a true 5.0 rated course such as Flip City or Harmony Bends or one of the incredible Colorado Mountain courses like Beaver Ranch or Bucksnort. But on the other hand, I can understand someone who played it solo without a guide being totally frustrated and rating it 1.5 or 2.0.
Some people might think that five elevated baskets is a bit much? I happen to agree and believe that all the raised and hanging baskets does give the course a miniature golf sort of vibe. One or two is fine, more becomes gimmicky. One of my more frustrating moments here at Jet Stream DGC was eying the very cool, landscaped basket on # 17 ? And not being able to determine where the tee box is located.
The park is interesting, kind of like an amusement park. There are some great picnic pavilions. At times, I felt like I was at the Disneyland at their jungle cruise ride. Check that, at times I felt like I was lost in the Disney Jungle Cruise Rude.
# 3 is one great but scary hole. It's about a 250' water carry with the basket another 20 to 30 feet farther but the basket is set up on this higher bank, maybe 8-10' above the water line, which adds another element of danger and challenge. This is a hole just made for a 5.0 rated course. Unfortunately, one awesome hole is not enough but there were lots of others that I eventually found and thought were good or great or whatever. I liked # 13 playing through the Palm forest. # 14 was great fun with all the trees and a super basket placement. All the raised baskets were fun, although the sheer number was definitely raised basket overkill. I really wanted to find # 17 and see how it played.
The noise here is omni-present, either from the nearby freeway or from the airport that is right next door. I also think I heard noise from a train passing by.
Cons:
Navigating this course solo for the first time was mostly frustrating. With three sets of pads all over the place, including those painted on sidewalks and streets and trees and the inconsistent signage, I was seldom sure if I was on track or not? A local guide is essential. I had the on-line map and still spent much of my time wandering about looking scouting for tee pads, baskets or the next hole and never knowing for sure, which tee I was playing from. I was really confused after # 3.
This is a course with entirely too much going on. There are too many hanging/raised baskets. There are too many holes that aren't signed. There are too many confusing pads, routes and possibilities. I would like to see one solid, well signed 18 hole course which is easy to navigate. Once you have accomplished that, then concentrate on a Am and a third Pro course.
Other Thoughts:
What is with the name? The Jet Stream Disc Golf Course. Is this like "The Ohio State University"? Sorry, but every time I hear an Ohio State athlete announc that he from The Ohio State University, I feel like i'm about to vomit in my mouth.
Like previously mentioned, I'm sure with a local showing me the way, that I would've liked this course a lot more. Maybe they should post an docent course guide at the beginning of "The Jet Stream Park DGC". Granted, that guide would have to be Katie Perry, buck naked, in order to coax a 5.0 rating out of me. Wait, did those previous reviewers have a naked Katie Perry as their local guide?